Learn About Relay For Life

At Relay For Life events, communities across the globe come together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has already taken too much. The funds you raise truly make a difference in the fight against cancer just ask one of the nearly 14 million cancer survivors who will celebrate another birthday this year!

Relay For Life teams camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around a track or path at a local high school, park, or fairground. Events are up to 24 hours long, and because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have at least one participant on the track at all times.

What to Expect at a Relay Event

What Is Relay For Life?

In more than 5,200 communities and 20 countries, Relay For Life events comprise the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Each Relay For Life event is special to its community, but the movement's true power lies in the combined commitment of thousands of participants, volunteers, and supporters to help the American Cancer Society save lives from cancer.

Why We Fundraise

Every year, the Relay For Life movement raises more than $400 million. The American Cancer Society puts these donations to work, investing in groundbreaking research in every type of cancer and providing free information and services to cancer patients and their caregivers. We're fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer, in your community and everyone else's.

Relay Events for Everyone

We appreciate all of our Relay For Life participants and celebrate the uniqueness of everyone who is interested in helping make this cancer’s last century. There are many ways to get involved through a variety of Relay For Life events, including those in local communities, on campuses, in cyberspace, and on a global level. There’s even the opportunity for canine companions to participate!

Survivors and Caregivers

The Relay For Life movement offers the unique opportunity for cancer survivors and caregivers to be recognized and supported. Each event hosts special events and activities, many throughout the year, so survivors and their caregivers can connect and know there is a strong support system available to them.

Fundraising

Through their fundraising involvement, Relay For Life participants ensure the lifesaving mission of the American Cancer Society is supported. Volunteers can find fundraising ideas, incentive program details, and encouragement through a number of channels including here on RelayForLife.org and on Relay Nation, an online community developed just for Relay For Life participants.

Awards

The American Cancer Society appreciates the passion, commitment, and dedication of every Relay For Life participant. Each year, the achievements of a number of our volunteers and events are recognized and highlighted through our National Awards program.

National Corporate Team Program

We are proud to work with a number of corporations that have made the commitment to be involved in the Relay For Life movement with a certain number of teams and volunteers. The American Cancer Society appreciates the impact that these companies provide in the fight against cancer.

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Could help provide free access to 24-hour information and support via phone, email, and online chats for one person.

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Any donation amount helps save lives from breast cancer.

Cancer has touched all of us in some way.
And we want to stop this disease in its tracks.
We'll spend the next few weeks fundraising for the American Cancer Society.
Then, on the day of the event, we'll honor the lives lost to cancer, celebrate survivors, and support the caregivers who so selflessly help others.

Together, we'll be a part of making a difference in this important cause.